Originally Posted by DF--

Lastly, when I surf the websites, e.g. Barclay's, their minimum requirement for a quantitative analyst is a PhD in a technical subject. Is there any way to bypass that requirement, ie get into a lower-level job-scope that is related to quantitative analysis, and then rising up after becoming proficient at it (assuming that one does become proficient)?

Or is formal qualification the only way there? (and does it involve superlative grades and achievements, or will some work on projects related to financial/similar models work as a substitute)